John 16:33 AMPC
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.
In the world, you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
“In the world, you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!”.
Paraphrased:
In this world, there will be things not pleasant happening to and around us. Don’t give in to it so that you are so worried or overwhelmed and saddened (depressed) that you give up. Be of good cheer instead, for in Me (Christ Jesus) you will overcome.
There are “teachings on depression from a biblical perspective” currently trending, and if one is not enlightened, it could make you assume that depression is a norm and it is from God. In those teachings, the human without the divine aspect is so well expressed, but the Divine involvement is not expressed to its fullest. Also, I find that such incomplete and improper teachings give people the permission to self diagnose themselves as depressed whenever they are going through a rough patch.
What is depression?
Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
The famous Biblical character examples that have been used where efforts have been made to Christianize depression that I am aware of are Elijah, Moses, David. I won’t be surprised if an attempt has been made to include Jesus because of the experience in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-42).
The narrative of depression applied to Biblical characters is drawn from instances where they were very bothered and felt overwhelmed by a situation they were facing. Some asked God to kill them or said they just wanted to die, and there were those that chose to yield to God, saying, “let Thy will be done”.
In 1 Kings 19: 1-4, Elijah had just done an extraordinary feat with God’s involvement, and afterwards, he received a threat of death from Jezebel, a diabolic lady, and he was so scared that he ran for his life. God located him; God corrected his wrong assumption and ministered to him, but God also replaced him. Moses was possibly the first Pastor, and the weight of caring for hard-headed and hard-hearted people got to him. He asked God to kill him (Numbers 11:15) when he became overwhelmed with responsibility. Later, he got so moved by wrong emotions to commit an unpardonable blunder, and he was replaced.
Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)got overwhelmed, but he yielded his will to God’s will. And we Christians are the result and beneficiaries of that yieldedness.
David, at different times in his life, got to the brink of giving up – but he would encourage himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30: 6). When he is to serve punishment for getting it wrong with God, he threw himself at the mercy of God – although a blunder he made meant that he could not build the temple he desired to build for the Lord – God permitted his son Solomon to do it. Just like Jesus, David knew to yield to God.
So what are the learnings here?
Biblical characters and their experience are not supporting or an excuse for what is diagnosed as depression. There is no mention anywhere in the Bible that any one of them had the diagnosis of depression. Yes, they had troubles, but God made a way out for them.
God advocates for us is children, to not be discouraged.
Joshua 1:9 NLT
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid nor discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.”
If we are to use Biblical characters in addressing depression, it must be a teaching that God never intends for us to be depressed – there is no mental illness that is a gift from God. Depression is a demonic orchestration, and we need to be aware as to reject its possession of our lives – we must reject the influence of the demon of depression. Reject its entry.
How?
1. Jesus prayed – prayer is vital, and I would suggest praying out loud. My father in the Lord Rev. Olusola Areogun (whom we reverently and lovingly call Daddy) taught me that you do not answer thoughts with thoughts – thoughts are to responded to with words to gain dorminance.
2. David Encouraged Himself in the Lord; go the opposite direction of depression (discouragement) when making an appearance does not yield to it, yield to God. Resist that devil, and he will flee (James 4:7).
3. When overwhelmed, we should not lean on our understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) nor rest on any failing strength. When situations or circumstances come at us, as a child of God, remember God will never put upon you more than you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). To thrive in life is never by human power nor human might (Zechariah 4:6) – human might is limited…it is by the Spirit of God – our Divine advantage that we prevail. Our help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121: 2).
4. Let us not be ignorant of the enemy’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11) – Let us not assume through erroneous teachings that it is okay to sink into the abyss of dark emotions. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost ( Romans 14:11). In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forever (Psalm 16:11) – so where is the room for depression?
5. It is not to say that in this world, we do not have tribulations, but Christ has overcome the world so that we can be of good cheer. It is not that people do not trouble us – but God troubles our troubler (2 Thessalonians 1:6). It is not that offences would not come; it would, but woe through whom it comes (Luke 17:1). It is not that forces would not gather against us – they would, but in seven ways, they shall scatter (Deuteronomy 28:7). Even when the enemy comes in like a flood, there is the Standard of the Holy Ghost to stop him (Isaiah 58:19) glory be to God!
6. The devil’s ways are captured in John 10:10; he is a thief; he steals, kills and destroys. He is like a ravenous lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Emotions, activities and actions that give the devil permission to devour must be avoided at all cost.
I have been there too.
There was a time in my life that circumstances became overwhelming, and I was almost diagnosed with depression. After hearing the available solutions that my doctor then had to offer, I knew in my spirit that this was not the way to go. I reevaluated my life and discovered that I had missed God somewhere, and I repented. I yielded to God to His word, to the Holy Spirit, and God delivered me. That was almost ten years ago. I have learnt to rely on God no matter what, and He is carrying me, and I know He will never drop me (Deuteronomy 31:6).
There is a path I am on now, and I am not going back. I rise to rise, to rise to rise to rise. Amen!
Proverbs 4:18 AMP
18 But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.
Do I still have your attention?
I have to ask, at this point, are you yielded to God? Yielding to God starts from Salvation that is available in Christ Jesus (Acts 4:12). It continues in the baptism and leadership of the Holy Spirit (Tomans 8:14) – it is an eternal yieldedness, a quickening to go to God no matter what life brings.
Are you yielded to God, or are you finding temporary comfort in half-truths and erroneous teachings that support human weaknesses and disempowers your spirit man?
I also was once asleep sedated by this world’s retarded understanding of what it means to be alive ( Romans 12:2). The idea that as long as one looks okay, one must be okay is very wrong… In Christ Jesus, I am not just OK – I have wholeness. I have life in abundance. And this gift of life is not for a limited few but accessible to all who believe in Christ Jesus.
God so loves us, and so He gave us access to eternal life. He gave us Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
I started by talking about depression – but you see, not just for depression alone but for all life issues; the solution is found in Christ Jesus. I am not just saying this to you as some half-baked cliche that you have heard somewhere before – I am sharing life with you. I have been down in the dumps, but I stand as a witness today to the truth that Jesus is the way out of every tight corner, He is truth in a false world, and He is life in abundance (John 14:6).
Romans 10:9-10 KJV says,
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.
You can pray a simple prayer (but pray it meaningfully) to accept Jesus as your saviour and lord today if you would:
“Heavenly Father, I confess that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins and that God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Today, I accept Jesus into my heart as my Lord and personal Saviour. I forsake my sins. I turn away from sin, Satan and turn to God. Father, I ask that you cleanse me from all unrighteousness by the blood that Jesus shed for me at Calvary. I declare that I am born again, and my name is written in the book of life. I receive the power to serve and follow God all the days of my life. Thank you, Father, for saving me, for in Jesus name I have prayed. Amen!
If you have prayed this prayer from your heart, I say a big congratulation to you. Welcome to the family of God.
Complete this form
http://bit.ly/dc_salvationform
Your spiritual welfare is my concern; for more help:
Send a mail to – lifeoasis@hotmail.com
You are blessed!
The Message Bearer
Cornelius Bella
#depression #salvation #deliverance
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